Writ Panel Procedures

Oral Argument in Cases Assigned to a Writ Panel.

If oral argument is requested in the petition for appeal, the petitioner is entitled to state orally to a
panel of Justices of this Court the reasons why the petition for appeal should be granted. Writ
panel sessions for the presentation of oral arguments in support of a petition are held six times
per year. Pro se petitioners and counsel for petitioners are notified by email approximately three
weeks before the hearing of the date and time to present oral argument to a panel of Justices.
Each argument shall not last longer than 10 minutes.

The respondent may attend the oral argument in order to listen and observe but is not entitled to
present oral argument. Notice of oral argument also is provided to counsel for respondent or any
pro se respondent.

See generally Rule 5:17(j).

Notice of Confirmation of Oral Argument.

The Court requires pro se petitioners or counsel for petitioners to acknowledge receipt of the
notice of argument and to confirm attendance at the hearing by calling or emailing the Office of
the Chief Staff Attorney. As a general rule, pro se petitioners or counsel for petitioners must
arrive at the Court and check in at least one hour before the scheduled time of their argument, or
otherwise in accordance with any other instructions contained in the notice. Failure to appear
when petitioner’s case is called may result in waiver of oral argument and the case being decided
on the papers.

Prohibited Items.

Please note: Electronic devices of any kind (including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart
watches, computers, pagers, e-book readers, etc.), guns, ammunition, sharp objects, aerosol cans
or bottles, liquids or tools of any kind are not allowed in the Courthouse. If you have any of
these items on your person when you check in at the Courthouse, you will not be permitted to
enter, but instead will be instructed to return the item to your vehicle or your office.

Photo ID Required.

All attorneys, pro se litigants and other persons entering the Supreme Court Building to argue
before a panel or to attend writ panel proceedings must present a government issued photo ID
card in order to be admitted to the building.
Court Reporters.

If counsel or a pro se party in any case wishes to have a court reporter attend the proceedings,
notice that a court reporter will be attending to record oral argument must be given to the Court
by contacting the Office of the Chief Staff Attorney prior to the date of oral argument. Court
reporters attending oral argument without prior notice to the Court may not be allowed to attend
the hearing or to record oral argument, except at the Court’s discretion.

Court reporters are permitted to use electronic stenograph machines with audio recording
capability. However, audio recording may not be used for any purpose other than transcription,
and no audio recording may be released to any person, including the client. Court reporters are
not permitted to use laptop or notebook computers or tape recorders.

Pro Hac Vice.

Any lawyer not licensed in Virginia who seeks to appear pro hac vice to present oral argument
must comply with the requirements of Rule 1A:4.

Standards of Attire.

Attorneys and pro se litigants appearing to present oral argument to the Court must be properly
attired. Men must wear a suit with tie, or dress pants with a tie and jacket. Women must wear a
suit, pants suit or dress. Jeans, tee-shirts, or other casual attire is not permitted for counsel or
litigants appearing to argue. Hats may not be worn in the Courtroom, unless a hat is required by
generally accepted religious observances or is part of a military or police officer’s uniform.

The writ panel proceedings are open to the general public. However, anyone wearing clothing
that is profane or otherwise indecent may not be permitted into the Courtroom.